Zurich Financial Services has announced that Jutta Kath, currently chief claims officer for global corporate division, has been appointed to the position of chief claims officer for Europe general insurance business and Chris Barnes, previously senior vice president of claims field operations for North America commercial unit, will succeed Ms Kath, effective December 1, 2007.
In her new role, Ms Kath will oversee the claims operations in 10 European countries where Zurich writes personal lines and small and midsize commercial business. Ms Kath will report to Annette Court, CEO Europe general insurance, and Christian Orator, global chief claims officer of Zurich.
Ms Kath joined Zurich as chief claims officer for global corporate division on March 1, 2007. Prior to that she had led the group reinsurance general insurance unit at the Winterthur Group. Ms Kath holds a law degree from the University of Regensburg, Germany.
Meanwhile, Mr Barnes will oversee the claims function for the global corporate in Europe business unit and continue to collaborate with the claims functions of North America commercial unit, international businesses and Europe general insurance business.
Mr Barnes will report to Geoff Riddell, CEO of global corporate business, and Mr Orator. Mr Barnes joined Zurich as senior vice president of claims field operations for North America commercial business in 2003. Prior to that, he held a variety of positions with Reliance Insurance in both claims and staff legal and with Cigna/Ace US.